SILVANA — Jeanne Watanabe, owner of the Silver Hanger consignment store in Arlington, has helped to support the spring Prom Dress Exchange, and while she’s collecting for that event again this year, she’ll be debuting a benefit event of her own later this month.

“So many people want to sell me their wedding dresses, but I don’t typically do that at this store,” said Watanabe, who is organizing the first Bridal Dress Swap Meet for Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Silvana. “All the proceeds will go to the Prom Dress Exchange on March 22, and to the Stephen Ministry.”

Watanabe touted the Bridal Dress Swap Meet as an excellent opportunity for both bridal dress sellers and buyers.

“We’re accepting bridal dress donations until the day before the event here at the store in Arlington, and at Peace Lutheran Church on the day of the event before 10 a.m.,” Watanabe said. “If you want to sell your dress through this event, you can pay a $20 fee and collect the balance of the price.”

Watanabe added that those wishing to sell bridal accessories and decorations can rent tables for $35 each, but warned that no bridesmaid dresses would be sold at this event.

“We’ll have bridal dresses going for $25 to $300 or $400,” Watanabe said. “We’ll set the prices on the donated dresses, and the owners are allowed to set the prices on the dresses they’ll be selling. Having spoken with the folks over at the Private Label Bridal Outlet in Everett, we realized that there’s just not many outlets for wedding dresses below $600.”

While most of the dresses will be used, Watanabe reported that there are a few that have been donated new, some as valuable as $800 to $2,000, and have barely been worn.

“All the dresses are in nice condition,” said Watanabe, who also promised a cluster of vintage dresses. “We’ve got sizes ranging from 0-22.”

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